Sunday, August 05, 2012

Margate Carnival 2012

Young Leopards at Play

It's a lovely afternoon for the annual Margate carnival procession from Westbrook to Margate and I've been out, as usual, looking for photographs that capture the spirit of this popular event. I can remember sitting on a carnival float myself, aged thirteen, raising money for the Thanet Lions Club.

I'm delighted to see so many familiar faces along the seafront, fellow councillors and Thanet South MP, Laura Sandys, as well as the Mayor and Mayoress of Margate and lots of enthusiastic young people and carnival princesses, dressed-up in a wide range of costumes.

I see it more as politically correct nonsense myself. There was a time when someone her size wouldn't have even been accepted as an entrant (thank god they don't have to wear swimming costumes and reveal their vital statistics these days!).

I enjoyed it, but I also wondered where everyone was. Maybe people are finding carnivals a bit dated, or perhaps there's been too many other things happening locally (Olympic torch, Queen's visit, various art and music events, etc)?

Simon Do you know who this ANONOYMOUS is? Shame they haven't got the guts to put there nameagaist there comments Miss Dover could of won her title for being someone who supports her town well this is the sort of thing that should be reported SIZEISM. WHAT A RUDE PIG THEY MUST BE! QUOTE BELOW Lorraine H. Anonymous said...Miss Dover was a bit on the large side!

Anonymous said...I see it more as politically correct nonsense myself. There was a time when someone her size wouldn't have even been accepted as an entrant (thank god they don't have to wear swimming costumes and reveal their vital statistics these days!).

Miss Dover is a lovely young lady who represents her town well. I believe anonymous is under the common misconception that Carnivals are beauty competitions in the traditional sense of the term. The girls are judged on their personalities and deportment rather than how they look in a swimsuit.

Many people don't see the work that these young ladies do in representing the area in which they live.

You would have noticed that there were 2 "Miss Dover's" this was because as I found out of "arguments" between parties so they decided to have 2! one is larger than the other but as previously said, if she represents what she does well then why not. All of the girls seem to get on and obviously enjoy it or they wouldn't do it - don't be so unkind Anonymous!

Reading the comments above regarding Miss Dover, I have to say the comments are a total disgrace and insulting, these girls who take part in a selection process, and would like to think it is fair, they do work hard for the community and normally raise a lot of money for charities, so do not judge on just what you see, as for the quote where were the people in Margate - it was packed with people enjoying themselves with the music, the carnival parade full of colour and floats, and also remember the the carnival itself is run by a handful of people [not payed] who are proud to put this traditional event on in the town

Sadly all this proves something the organisers of events such as this just do not seem to grasp. Putting young girls on show in a 'traditional' beauty contest kind of way, perpetuates the concept of judging women on their looks, regardless of the fact that there might be other criteria used nowadays to select them. If there were boys on show who have undergone the same process, perhaps there would be some kind of valid argument but there are none. I find it sad that ignorant people comment on a girl's size but also cannot understand why parents allow their daughters to participate in this way and why organisers feel it appropriate in this day and age. All considered, rather sad.